Get fighting fit for summer with the right tech

Whether you’re starting a new regime or looking to amp up your existing technique, our pick of smart tech will give you boost in time for summer

Want to get in shape for the summer? Fitness tech can make all the difference to your routine.

Want to get in shape for the summer? This wearable tech collects data on your activity – which you can use to stay motivated and improve your technique. Here’s how to choose the right fitness tech for you.

Training for a marathon

In a nutshell: Ensure you’re ready (as you’ll ever be) for your next ultra-challenge with a running watch

Counting down the days and weeks ‘til that marathon you signed up for months ago? You can get more from your training in the run up to an event with a GPS running watch. A running watch looks like a regular watch but is packed with features to help you better understand and improve your performance.

The Garmin Forerunner 235 is a great option for serious training sessions. With it you can:

Set tailored training plans to suit your half marathon or full marathon distance

Record the distance you have covered and at what pace – simply by hitting the start button

All-rounder

In a nutshell: Like the idea of getting fitter but struggle with motivation? A fitness tracker can help keep you on track

Go for a tracker you can wear 24/7 to get accurate monitoring of any activity you do. From the steps you take walking to work, to a sweat-inducing session at the gym. The Fitbit Alta is a good choice. It tracks steps taken, distance covered and calories burned – all in a slim design you can slip on your wrist and forget it’s there. With it you can:

Set daily goals like steps taken or active minutes per hour to keep you motivated

Improve the quality of your sleep with the built-in sleep tracker. Record how much rest you’re getting and set targets to improve it

Automatically log any exercise you do with Smart Track – so you won’t need to program it to start recording when you’re at the gy

Sync fitness data with your smartphone using the Fitbit app and see graphs mapping your progress over time

Fitness nut

In a nutshell: You’re already a gym buff but you’ve hit a slump in your regime. Use a tracker with a built-in heart rate monitor to take your workouts to the next level

A heart rate monitor can improve your training by showing you how hard you’re working during exercise. Maintain intensity during your workouts with the Fitbit Blaze, which has a built-in heart rate monitor. Check your heart rate at a glance and adjust the amount of effort you’re putting in to get the best results.

With the Fitbit Blaze you can:

Use it for different types of workout – from cardio and weights, to HIIT classes and yoga. It can automatically recognise when you’re exercising and start tracking

Record your running or cycling route with GPS tracking – and get stats on run time, distance, pace and elevation

Chart your training on the Fitbit app for more detailed graphs and charts of your progress

Enjoy a distraction-free workout – sync it with your smartphone and control your gym playlist from your wrist

For both design and performance

In a nutshell: The fitness tracker that looks and feels like you’re wearing a watch, but has lots of useful smart features

This award-winning fitness tracker has the looks and features to impress. Lasting up to 25 days on a single charge, you can count on the Withings Steel HR mile after mile. Plus it’s water resistant up to 50 metres so you can go from the treadmill to the pool without the need to take it off.